solemnly adjured to this by tho recollection of his own faithfulness to them. He is clear from responsibility in their regard; for he has not shunned to declare to them" the whole counsel of God." His ministry ~as been, not m11~el.v general, but p3.rticular, indi- viduul-to oach man's heart and conscience. He has discharged himself of his burden ; thoy must bear their own. 'l'o whom much has been given, of them much will be required. The duty of tho faithful shepherd comprise~ tw? things-the feeding and tendance of the sheep, and the defence of the flock against its foes. The great word is "Watch "-over self, the spirit, teaching, and conversation; over the flock,-its Divine constitut~on does not exempt it from human weakness; and against the wolves, who would glide in, under false clothing, to ravage and devour. 2. Solemn commendatory prayer. "I commend you to God I "-the best conclusion of every sermon, of every period of Christian labour. Prayer is the expression of evangelical love; it throws the arms of care and affection around the flock when one's own time of personal labour i,; past. It is the expression of lowliness: aft~r a)l we have done, the issue must be left to God. He alone can tum the feeble serV1ce mto a means of power, he alone giv,, the increase to human sowing and watering. It is the expression of faith: there need be no fear on the part of the under-shepherd in leaving the flock in the hands of the almiahty Shepherd himself. "God and the Word of his grace: " in these lies endless pow;r, God and truth : in times of persecution or of unsettled belief, these forces go on upbuilding, reclaiming, converting, finis~ing, and fitting souls f?r eternal glory. We need not be anxious about the "reconstruction of theology;" God IS ever reconstructin~ the new out of the old; and fulfilling himself in many ways. Our constructions break; but in him is the unbroken continuity of life itself. 3. Farewell reminder. Of his own example, and of all the lessons condensed into it. He had not been a seeker of personal gain; not of" theirs, but of them" (2 Cor. xii. 14). A mirror for all pastors. Happy for them if they can practically prove their disinterestedness by sup- porting themselves independently of the "altar" (1 Cor. ix. 13). But this may not al ways be desir»blc. At least they can show that they do not "preach to live" so much as "live to preach." To give is more blessed than to receive. God is the eternal Giver, forth-pouring himself in natural and spiritual bounty evermore. And the nearer we come to him, the happier we are. The more we take from God, the more we have to give; and again, the more we give, the more we have. 'l'o i.mp:i.rt is to obtain release from self, from self-seeking, from the burden of superfluity. It is to reap love and thanks, provided always that in imparting anything we truly impart ourselves. 4, The parting scene. It is of mingled joy and sorrow. There is the bitter- ness of orphanage and desolation of John xvi. 16 ; but the brightness of the hoped-for reunion. Reproaches of conscience at missed opportunities, but yet the sense that "now is the accepted time and the day of salvation." The pain of disruption; but the con- sciousness of abiding in Christ, and of the final recovery of all we have loved and lost- in him.-J, Vere. 1-6.-.Apostolic supervision of Ohurch life. From Ephesus through Macedonia, to Greece, retummg through Macedonia. by way of Philippi to Troas. L The cautious vigilance of Paul in superintending THE RISING SPIRITUAL LIFE of the infant Churches; a lesson in faithfulness and devotion to the interests of fellow-Chris- tians, as well as in allegiance to Christ. It was not enough that the Churches had the truth. It was endangered by many difficulties and surrounding obstructive influences, both from Jews and heathen. II. TBE BELF-BAOBIFI0E involved in such journeys, not only in the great toil, but in danger to life. III. THE INOBEABING INFLUENCE of the apostle seen in his gathering so many round him as his fellow-travellers and fellow-labourers, a testimony to the hold which his teaching had upon the Churches, showing that the view of Christianity given in the Pauline Epistles, written about this time, was a fair representation of the current belief of the early Gentile Church. Nor could it have been widely different from that taught. by the Jewish leaders; otherwise Paul could not have declared that he taught" the whole counsel of God."-R.
Ver11, 7~12.-A l,eg(l,C1J of Divine tostimony. The position of Tr~s such that any ]';8 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, lOU, xx. 1-38,
Ftarlling event would i;pread its influence East and West-to Asia and Europe. Paul lcnYin~ t.he srenes of his labours, never more to be seen in them. Some news of con- t. ntions in Corinth might disturb the Churches. Asiatic believers would es~ecinlly l':cd c,~r.\· support. 'l'he occasion very solemn. Eucharistio service. Pauls long <11scoursc, mtcrspcrscd probably with questions and answers. Many last words to be said. Enemies doubt~d the_ nature of Christian meetings: Many lights and open windows d1spro,·~d the calummes. Upper chamber, three stones from the ground; not large, and betokcnmg the lowly character of the assembly. "Not many mighty, noble and rich." l'ossihly even in Troas some popular opposition made such a place necessary: I. A great SIGN OF DrvrnE POWER accompanying Paul's preaching. Hnd he not beeu nppro,cd of God, he could not have wrought such a miracle. It spoke: 1. 'l'o the world, testifying to the nearness of the kingdom of God ; to the merciful and restoring i::race of the gospel, which came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them. 2. To the Church; stamping Pauline teaching with authority; lifting up the courage and hope ot disciples. The same Divine power ever with the Church always to the end. Il. A SOLEMN ASSOCIATION with a great and important occasion, Eutychus could scarcely be without blame. The people would never forget that it wa11 the Lord's Supper, and that those who partake in such a service shouM watch against human infirwities. 'l'he wonderful recovery of the lad seemed to shed a new light on the whole service. What glorious power was set forth in that little society I They were comforted for Eutychus and for themselves and for the whole Church. Jesus is life from the dead.-ll.